Nickel-doped cadmium coordination polymers (Ni@Cd-CP-n): A dual-function platform for antibiotic detection and dye photodegradation

The rising contamination of water sources by pharmaceutical and dye pollutants calls for innovative materials capable of simultaneous detection and degradation. In this study, a nickel-doped cadmium(II) coordination polymer (Ni@CP-2) was designed as a dual-function luminescent sensor and photocatalyst . Ni@CP-2 exhibited exceptional selectivity and sensitivity for sulfadiazine (SDZ) and nitrofurantoin (NFT) antibiotics, with Stern–Volmer quenching constants of 2.4 × 10 4 M⁻ 1 and 2.0 × 10 4 M⁻ 1 , and detection limits as low as 1.50 ppm and 1.41 ppm, respectively. Additionally, its photocatalytic efficiency under visible light resulted in 93.69 % degradation of Methylene Blue (MB) and 76.28 % of Crystal Violet (CV), while its undoped counterpart, CP-1, superior degradation efficiency for CV degradation (90.65 %). Stability and recyclability studies confirmed its structural integrity over multiple cycles, underscoring its long-term viability. This work establishes Ni@CP-2 as a promising multifunctional material for real-time antibiotic detection and efficient water purification , contributing to the advancement of smart coordination polymer-based systems for environmental remediation. Ni@CP-2, a nickel-doped cadmium(II) coordination polymer, serves as a dual-function luminescent sensor and photocatalyst for water purification. It selectively detects sulfadiazine (1.50 ppm) and nitrofurantoin (1.41 ppm) antibiotics, with high photocatalytic efficiency for Methylene Blue (93.69 %) and Crystal Violet (76.28 %). Stability and recyclability tests affirm its potential for environmental applications. • Ni@CP-2 showed high sensitivity and selectivity for SDZ and NFT, with detection limits of 1.50 ppm and 1.41 ppm, respectively. • The material achieved 93.69% degradation of Methylene Blue under visible light. • Ni@CP-2 maintained structural integrity over cycles, confirming its durability for long-term environmental use. • This study advances Ni@CP-2 for real-time pollutant detection and sustainable wastewater treatment.